Game Of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss to create new Star Wars film series

Game Of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss are to write and produce a new series of Star Wars films.

The pair, who are currently hard at work on the final season of the hugely successful fantasy drama, will write and produce a new series of films, separate from the Skywalker saga and the trilogy Rian Johnson is presently developing.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said of the announcement: "David and Dan are some of the best storytellers working today. Their command of complex characters, depth of story and richness of mythology will break new ground and boldly push Star Wars in ways I find incredibly exciting."

Benioff and Weiss themselves added: "In the summer of 1977 we travelled to a galaxy far, far away, and we’ve been dreaming of it ever since. We are honored by the opportunity, a little terrified by the responsibility, and so excited to get started as soon as the final season of Game of Thrones is complete.”